I shall just leave this here with you.

It is titled “The Struggle is Real”……

’nuff said, I think.

(Floss took the video – Monster will be suing her for defamation)

Floss and I got up half an hour early (it is getting lighter now in the mornings) as we had lots to do. Everyone fed, and we drove into Lerwick to get supplies, and for me to see the dentist – a routine appointment.

After a very nice lunch – our reward for the dentist and all Floss’ hard work while she is here – we went to the street.

I needed to deliver some sheep, ready for any tourists that will come for Lerwick’s Up Helly Aa.

The town is getting all geared up for this annual fire festival.

It was a beautiful calm day and both Floss and I enjoyed our day of “freedom”.  Tomorrow it is back to the grind stone.

I’m feeling slightly smug here – we’ve got it down to a fine art, this breakfast thing.

Today, Floss was in charge of Iacs, Klaengur and Kolka…..

…. while I had Haakon.

The sun was rising but it was freezing and then it started to rain.  Thanks a lot.

I have eyes like a hawk on all of them but I think they are keeping the weight on despite my no rugging rule.  A second opinion?  Anyone?  They are well-covered and I can’t feel ribs.

Kolka is doing very well. She has fitted right in, and turns up every evening on her own for Bucket No 2.  What I like most about her is that she organises the old men. They don’t stand around waiting endlessly for food like they want to. Oh no, once Kolka’s eaten she marches off over the horizon dragging them all with her.  Perfect.  Even Iacs has got the plot and that is quite an achievement!

Floss and I spent our morning moving the Minions back to Leradale. The snow has gone now, the roads are fine to drive, there is plenty grass in the field and they don’t need to be home anymore.

They were pleased to be “home” except for Newt, who wanted to come back as he had got used to his life of luxury at Thordale, where I wait on him hand and hoof.

Despite his lovely little smile (yes, that’s a Newt winning smile – it’s just different), I said no.  Enjoy Leradale.

So he went off to join his friends. Waffle was with them too.  I have hardened my heart and decided he is better of in this field. If he shivers, then he might lose weight and if it gets really bad, I can rug him.  The others are ok with him in a rug.

Meanwhile, back at home, I was about as popular as a turd in a swimming pool.

I just can’t bring myself to let these three go too. Our farrier put the fear of God into me last time he visited and I need his opinion on the state of their feet and laminitis before they can rejoin their friends.

I know, I know – they all loved being together during the snow but I just have to remain tough.

It is for their own good.  So they are back to being “vampire ponies” again. Out at night but in during the day and I feel like the nastiest person on this earth.

The snow has just about all gone now. It went overnight with the rain and so we are back to our deep mud!

The Minions came up from their “snow” field for their breakfast happily now in a routine, which I would very much like them to forget.  After a bucket of nothing, I told them to clear up their last meal.

Good old Waffle saw personally to it that he did (it was a request, Waffle, not a challenge!)

The rest had eaten themselves to a standstill.

This is their last day here.  I will put the herd back to Leradale tomorrow as the snow is not coming back.

….. (she types while silently praying to the Weather Gods).

The ground is completely saturated and the mud, well, you have no idea just how much mud we have.  My jury is still out on Albie, Tiddles and Storm, however. I will decide tomorrow. They may end up staying here until the farrier appears (February, I think) and makes his verdict on their feet.  I would hate to undo all the good we have achieved.